8 June 2006 Edition

Mála Poist

Organise now for Bodenstown

A chara

I read Micheál Mac Donncha's article in last weeks An Phoblacht entitled
Wolfe Tone Commemoration: Organise now for major republican gathering .

I agree with what Micheál says, particularly "It is fair to say that in
recent years attendances have not properly reflected the growing national
strength of Sinn Féin, with the crowds mainly drawn from Leinster. 2006 is
the year to put that right and all areas are encouraged to organise now for
Sunday 18 June."

Maybe this year, we could have a show of strength from our elected
representatives and our Árd Chomhairle members, who are noticeably thin on
the ground when it comes to Bodenstown.

Maybe this year, people could put aside their loyalties to Gaelic football
and soccer matches and come to Bodenstown to re-dedicate themselves to the
ideals of Pádraig Pearse, James Connolly, Bobby Sands and Mairéad Farrell.

Let us remember with pride, the sacrifice of the Hunger Strikers and the
sacrifice of the many men and women Volunteers of Óglaigh na hÉireann.
Organise Now for Bodenstown!

Is mise,

Nicola King,

County Kildare.

An invitation to all republicans

A chara

Last year the newly formed Marie Wright/Joe Cahill Sinn Fein Cumann held a
gathering of republicans following the annual Wolf Tone Commemoration in
Kildare. Central to the Cumann's formation and on whose initiative the
function came about was the then Leinster Organiser Daithí Forde. Tragically
Daithí lost his life to cancer just four months later.

Daithí's organisational skills ensured the events success with a strong
attendance of republicans from his much loved home county of Wexford and
further afield. A great day was had by all. By way of humble tribute to our
friend and comrade we invite republicans to join us in the Town House Hotel,
Naas after the Wolf Tone Commemoration on 18 June. Our intentions are to
make this an annual event in memory of a truly sound, admirable Irish
Republican- Daithí Forde.

For further information contact the Marie Wright/Joe Cahill SF Cumann
Kildare on 087-6694206.

Is mise,

Cristín Mc Cauley,

County Kildare.

Sinn Féin and socialism

A chara

At this time of immense political change, our party faces a number of key
challenges. Policing and coalition are two of the major issues, but I think
in dealing specifically with individual issues as they arise, we are being
too short sighted.

Rather, we need to look at our ideological challenges in a broader context;
establish the fundamentals clearly and the rest will follow. To this end, I
would like to take this opportunity to urge the party to begin an internal
debate on the merits of socialism and more importantly; whether we wish to
be a socialist party or not.

Simply adopting a party constitution containing a profession of socialism,
is not enough to be an unequivocably socialist party. Undoubtedly, if
socialism is treated in isolation, many party members will reject it and
they should have that right.

Our party cannot remain an organ of change without a definitively socialist
approach. The nature of armed struggle, meant that in the past, our movement
has tolerated a certain amount of ideological ambiguity. However, in this
new era, we cannot afford to be so complacent. If we have a firm and frank
debate on the merits of socialism, we will be in a stronger position to deal
with individual conundra such as coalition. If we are clear about where we
stand, such problems will be much easier to solve. We cannot hope to hold
this movement together if we push fundamental ideological questions under
the carpet. We owe it to ourselves and to all who seek change in Ireland, to
have this debate.

Is mise,

Donal O'Driscoll,

County Cork.

Remember republican prisoners

A chara

It has certainly been a year of republican revolutionary commemorations. At
Easter republicans throughout our island remembered those executed 90 years
ago in the aftermath of 1916's seminal rebellion where Connolly, Pearse and
company bravely attempted to smash British imperialism in Ireland.

This year is also the 25th anniversary of the death on hunger strike of ten
selfless and courageous republican men who gave their lives in order to
resist attempts to criminalise our legitimate struggle.

However, a quarter of a century after the passing of Sands and his comrades,
republican prisoners still languish in jails. In a year of remembrance, let
us not forget our comrades still incarcerated today. Until all are free, we
are all imprisoned.

Is Mise,

John Flynn,

Crumlin,

Dublin 12

Law is an ass

A chara

In the last week we have seen another example of the law failing some of the
most vulnerable in society. The debate has centred around the age of consent
and what is the age at which a person reaches sexual maturity. However, this
is a smokescreen with regard to the so-called 'Mr. A Case'. This case has
damn all to do with consent or unlawful carnal knowledge. Rather, a young
girl was plied with alcohol and then raped. A plea of unlawful carnal
knowledge should never be entertained in such a case when it is clear that
the heinous crime of rape in all its brutality has been perpetrated. This
man walking free from court made a laughing stock of the law that is
supposed to protect society from sexual predators.